Gianluigi Buffon celebrates after giving his shorts to a fan after draw with Barcelona in November 2017

In his absence former Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny has conceded just one goal in seven Serie A games.

But the Pole is likely to make way for Buffon against Chievo as the long-serving keeper the day before he turns 40.

It is another remarkable achievement — and a long way from his first debut for Parma, in November 1995.

Thrown into a vital game against AC Milan, the 17-year-old Buffon — a kid who doesn’t yet even have a driver’s licence — excelled himself by keeping a clean sheet against a strike force that included George Weah and Roberto Baggio.

Gianluigi Buffon arrives for the Best FIFA Football Awards 2017 in London last October

And, he has suffered two more defeats in Champions League finals, while also missing out on a fifth World Cup finals following defeat against Sweden.

He wept at the final whistle, and announced his retirement from international duty.

Despite these setbacks occurring at various points in his career, he has always come back stronger.

He may have had dips here and there but, he has always been considered among the best in the world — no matter who’s around.

Whether, it be Oliver Kahn, Iker Casillas, Petr Cech or Manuel Neuer, they are always compared to Buffon.

The man has made over 1,000 appearances for club and country and has very rarely suffered with injury.

Should he play in every Serie A match between now and the end of the season, he will be within one game of Paolo Maldini’s all-time appearance record, and he hasn’t yet decided he will hang up his gloves at the end of the campaign.

Should he finally win the Champions League, he will definitely stay on to compete in the Fifa Club World Cup.